Beneath the dynasty's splendid landscapes and prosperous cities, the long years flow like a gentle stream, passing quietly by. The crown prince, once a babbling infant in swaddling clothes, has now gradually grown up. Every footprint of his growth carries the hopes and future of the entire dynasty. Those who hold pivotal positions and profound influence in the dynasty deeply understand the critical significance of the crown prince's education. They are determined to find the most outstanding teachers for him, hoping to cultivate him into an extraordinary ruler capable of shouldering responsibilities, making achievements, and leading the dynasty to glory.
At dawn, the golden morning light pierces through the palace's colorful glazed tiles and gently spills into the quiet courtyard. Li Yi and Lin Yue arrive early at the study and sit facing each other. On the desk before them are piles of recommendation lists of worthy scholars from all over the country. These lists are like codes bearing the future direction of the dynasty; every name has the potential to change the crown prince's destiny and even that of the entire dynasty.
"The crown prince is now in a critical period of eager learning. Selecting a teacher cannot be delayed any longer," Li Yi said solemnly, his voice filled with worry and urgency. He knew that an excellent teacher is not only a disseminator of knowledge but also a shaper of the crown prince's character and values, whose importance is self-evident.
Lin Yue nodded slightly, her gaze sharp as she slowly scanned the list. "Indeed," she mused. "This teacher must not only have profound knowledge but also understand how to teach according to the student's aptitude, guiding the crown prince to establish correct governance concepts and a positive attitude toward life."
The two then began to carefully review the lists, weighing each name repeatedly. Li Yi's finger slid gently across the list until it stopped, his gaze fixed on one name—Su Zhe. A renowned great scholar in the court, Su Zhe was profoundly learned, well-versed in history, and had an incisive understanding of the rise and fall of past dynasties, particularly in the art and strategies of governance.
"Lord Su Zhe has always upheld justice in court and offers unique and profound insights. If we can invite him to teach the crown prince governance, I believe the crown prince will benefit greatly," Li Yi said to Lin Yue, his eyes filled with expectation, as if he could already see the crown prince thriving under Su Zhe's guidance.
After a moment of thought, Lin Yue nodded in agreement. "Lord Su is indeed an excellent candidate. However, we should pay him a personal visit to hear his thoughts on teaching the crown prince."
Thus, they chose an auspicious day to visit Su Zhe's residence. Upon learning their purpose, Su Zhe smiled warmly and readily agreed. "It is a great honor for me to lecture the crown prince. Governance should put the people first and learn from history. I will spare no effort to impart all my knowledge to the crown prince without reservation."
With the governance tutor settled, the next step was to select a medical teacher for the crown prince. As a core figure in the Imperial Medical Bureau, Lin Yue was well-acquainted with the medical skills, virtues, and teaching abilities of the bureau's physicians. She already had a suitable candidate in mind—Imperial Physician Chen.
Imperial Physician Chen was highly skilled in medicine, possessed noble medical ethics, and had made notable achievements in treating difficult and complex ailments. He also held unique and
profound insights into medical education. Lin Yue personally visited the Imperial Medical Bureau and approached Imperial Physician Chen with a smile. "Imperial Physician Chen, the crown prince has a keen interest in medicine. I would like to invite you to be his medical teacher. What do you think?"
Imperial Physician Chen hurriedly bowed respectfully. "Thank you for your trust, Your Highness. I will do my utmost to let the crown prince appreciate the profoundness of medicine and understand the true meaning of a physician's benevolence."
Once all preparations were complete, the crown prince's rich and fulfilling study life officially began. Every morning, as the first rays of sunlight fell on the palace rooftops, the crown prince was led by eunuchs to the study. Su Zhe would already be waiting there, wearing a long robe and holding a scroll, his gaze filled with kindness and expectation, as if looking at the dynasty's future hope.
"Your Highness, today we will start with the rise and fall of the Xia Dynasty. The root cause of the Xia's demise was the ruler's debauchery and loss of popular support..." Su Zhe began slowly, his voice steady and powerful, as if recounting the weight and vicissitudes of history.
The crown prince listened intently, his eyes shining with the light of curiosity, occasionally raising questions: "Teacher, how can one win the people's hearts?"
Su Zhe smiled and replied patiently, "He who wins the people's hearts wins the world. Rulers must always care about the people's sufferings, reduce their corvee labor and taxes, uphold fair justice, and ensure that the people can live and work in peace. In this way, they will naturally win the people's hearts."
Under Su Zhe's careful guidance, the crown prince gradually gained a deep understanding of the complexity and importance of governance. He began to pay close attention to court affairs, developing a profound and thorough understanding of the country's political system, economic development, and diplomatic relations. He often discussed the rise and fall of past dynasties with Su Zhe, pondering how to ensure the country's long-term stability.
In the afternoons, the crown prince would go to the Imperial Medical Bureau to study medicine with Imperial Physician Chen. Chen would take him into the pharmacy, where shelves were filled with a dazzling array of medicinal herbs, instantly captivating the crown prince's attention.
"Your Highness, this is ginseng, which replenishes vital energy; this is angelica, which nourishes and activates blood..." Imperial Physician Chen patiently introduced each herb's effects and uses, as if each herb held a story of healing.
The crown prince curiously picked up a ginseng root and examined it closely. "Teacher, how do these herbs cure diseases?" he asked.
Imperial Physician Chen explained patiently, "The effects of herbs stem from their unique properties. Through reasonable combinations, they can regulate the body's qi, blood, yin, and yang, thus healing illnesses."
In addition to theoretical knowledge, Imperial Physician Chen would take the crown prince to diagnose and treat patients, allowing him to experience firsthand the responsibilities and mission of a physician. During a free clinic, the crown prince saw an old man suffering from a long-term illness due to hard labor. Under Chen's guidance, the crown prince carefully felt the man's pulse and prescribed a formula. When the old man's condition gradually improved after taking the medicine and he smiled for the first time in a long while, the crown prince felt a surge of
accomplishment and joy.
"Teacher, it makes me so happy to see the patient recover," the crown prince said excitedly, his eyes shining.
Imperial Physician Chen nodded with a smile and said earnestly, "This is the mission of a physician—to save lives and relieve suffering. I hope Your Highness will integrate this compassionate heart into your future governance."
As time passed, the crown prince grew day by day through his studies. He not only mastered comprehensive knowledge of governance and medicine but, more importantly, learned how to truly care for others and bravely assume responsibility. His mind matured, and his eyes gained a newfound resolve and sense of duty.
During a court meeting, when the crown prince heard ministers heatedly discussing people's livelihood issues, he immediately remembered Su Zhe's teachings and courageously put forward his own insights: "I believe we should increase investment in farmland and water conservancy to improve irrigation. This will not only boost grain production and ensure the people's food and clothing but also reduce their labor burden and make their lives easier."
The emperor listened with pride and admiration in his eyes. "My son has grown up and can now offer strategies for the country's development. This is a blessing for the nation!" he sighed.
In medicine, the crown prince often used his knowledge to treat minor ailments of palace eunuchs and maids. Although his medical skills were not yet perfect, his kindness and enthusiasm won universal praise and affection. Everyone knew that the crown prince, despite his noble status, had a kind and caring heart.
Li Yi and Lin Yue watched the crown prince grow with great relief and pride. They knew he was steadily moving in the direction they had hoped for and that in the future, he would surely shoulder the responsibility of guarding the dynasty. However, they also understood that his growth path was still long, with countless challenges and trials ahead. Yet they firmly believed that as long as the crown prince maintained his strong thirst for knowledge and sense of responsibility, and with the careful guidance of his teachers, he would certainly become a capable and beloved wise ruler.
On a quiet and beautiful night, the moonlight poured like water into the palace courtyard, creating a peaceful scene. Li Yi and Lin Yue went to the crown prince's study, where he was absorbed in reading medical books by the lamp, unaware of their arrival.
"Did your studies go well today, Your Highness?" Lin Yue asked softly, her voice full of concern.
The crown prince quickly rose to bow. "Thank you for your concern, Mother. Today, I learned a great deal about the compatibility of medicinal herbs and feel even more deeply the boundless profundity of medicine, like the vast stars."
Li Yi stepped forward and gently patted the crown prince's shoulder. "My son, governance and medicine may seem very different, but they are both fundamentally about benefiting the people. I hope you can integrate what you have learned and become a benevolent ruler who ensures the people live happy and peaceful lives."
The crown prince nodded firmly, his eyes filled with resolve. "I will live up to Father and Mother's expectations, study hard, and protect our dynasty in the future, so that all people can live and work in peace and enjoy a prosperous era."
Looking at the crown prince's determined gaze, Li Yi and Lin Yue were filled with hope. They knew that the dynasty's future was now in the hands of this growing and outstanding prince. And they would continue to escort his growth until he could stand on his own and lead the dynasty to an even more brilliant tomorrow.
As time went on, the crown prince swam freely in the vast ocean of knowledge and continued to improve his moral character. His relationship with his teachers deepened day by day. Su Zhe's rigorous academic attitude and profound knowledge, as well as Imperial Physician Chen's benevolence and noble medical ethics, deeply influenced him, becoming precious treasures on his growth path.
During a royal hunting trip, the crown prince accidentally encountered an injured hunter. Without hesitation, he immediately used his medical knowledge to skillfully bandage and treat the man. The hunter was overwhelmed with gratitude, tears in his eyes, and praised the crown prince's kindness and medical skills.
"Your Highness, you are a blessing to us common people!" the hunter said with tears, his voice filled with gratitude and reverence.
The crown prince smiled and replied, "This is what I should do. The well-being of the people has always been my greatest wish."
This incident quickly spread among the people, and their love for the crown prince grew deeper. They knew that the future ruler not only possessed exceptional talents but also a heart deeply concerned for the people. From that moment on, the crown prince's name was passed down among the people, becoming a symbol of hope and trust.
In court, the crown prince also gradually emerged as a focal point of attention. He actively participated in political discussions and put forward many constructive suggestions based on his knowledge and unique insights. He proposed strengthening the assessment and supervision of officials, severely punishing corruption, and promoting integrity to ensure fairness in court. He also advocated for foreign exchanges and cooperation, actively learning advanced technologies and cultures from other countries to promote national prosperity and make the country shine on the world stage.
The emperor was highly satisfied with the crown prince's outstanding performance and began to intentionally involve him in important decisions to hone his governance skills. With the emperor's strong support, some of the crown prince's proposals were successfully implemented and achieved remarkable results. The national economy gradually prospered, people's lives became more affluent, and the court's atmosphere was renewed.
Seeing the crown prince's growth and progress, Li Yi and Lin Yue felt extremely relieved. They knew that all their efforts for him had not been in vain. Those days and nights of hard work and careful planning had now become the foundation for his growth, paving the way to his success. However, they also clearly recognized that the road ahead was still full of challenges. The crown prince would encounter various unforeseen difficulties and setbacks as he grew. But they believed that with his wisdom, courage, and deep love for the country and people, he would surely overcome all obstacles and become an outstanding ruler, writing a glorious chapter for himself and the dynasty.
At a grand and solemn festival celebration, the emperor expressed his high hopes for the crown prince in front of all civil and military officials and the people: "My son is intelligent and diligent. He will surely inherit the throne and lead our dynasty to even greater prosperity. I hope you will
always remember your mission, live up to the people's expectations, and become a wise ruler praised for generations."
The crown prince knelt and kowtowed, his voice firm and powerful: "I will do my utmost to protect our country, ensure the people's well-being, and share in the prosperous era. I vow to use all I have learned to contribute my entire life to the dynasty's prosperity."
Thunderous applause and cheers erupted from the audience, as people looked to the future with anticipation. Li Yi and Lin Yue, their eyes filled with pride and relief, knew that the dynasty's future was moving boldly toward the light. And they would continue to stand by the crown prince, witnessing every step of his growth until he truly became the pillar of the dynasty, holding up a vast sky.